A TOTAL of 15ha has been identified to be turned into bamboo plantations for the supply of panda food.

Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) director-general Datuk Dr Abd Latif Mohmod said 5ha in Putrajaya and 10ha in Paya Indah Wetlands will be cultivated with four types of bamboo suitable for the consumption of pandas.

“These bamboo species are commonly found here. We wanted to create the plantations as it would be most feasible in the long run.”

He said the two locations were selected on the basis of rotation, so that one area would be able to provide supplies if the other fell short.

Abd Latiff said all four types of bamboo are easily found in the country and officers from China will test the bamboo supplies before it is consumed by the pandas.

It would take six months to a year to set up the plantations, he said.

The endeavour will cost RM500,000, including maintenance, over two years.

He also said there were no foreseeable problems in relation to the cultivation of bamboo.

“For example, buluh siam and buluh pagar are most commonly found because they are commercially cultivated. People also plant them for ornamental use,” he said.

“Pandas only consume the small leaves and branches of bamboo as well as fruits such as apples and carrots.”

Abd Latiff said the pandas’ surrounding areas will also be enhanced with bamboo plants to simulate its natural habitat.

It was recently announced that the Chinese government will loan two pandas to the Malaysian government, in commemoration of diplomatic relations between both nations which reaches its 40th anniversary in 2014.

The loan will cost the Malaysian government RM20 million.

The pandas will be kept at the Putrajaya Wetlands Park, in the land activities area.

Animal conservation groups have criticised the move, saying the allocation should be used for the conservation of other endangered species in the country.

Sumber: Harakahdaily
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PUTRAJAYA: China will loan two pandas to Malaysia as part of a collaboration between the China Wildlife Conservation Association and the Malaysian government, said the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry in a statement.
The pandas, to be on loan for 10 years, mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relationship between both countries in 2014.
Bilateral relations between Malaysia and China started during the tenure of late Tun Razak.
The ministry said the close relationship has enabled Malaysia to attract more foreign investment from China to boost the country's economy further.
The cooperation would enable Malaysia to conduct conservation research on the giant panda, it said.
The ministry added that the presence of the pandas would promote public awareness on panda conservation undertaken by China. This will encourage the public to appreciate and learn the importance of biodiversity and wildlife conservation in Malaysia.
A nationwide contest to name the pandas would be held to spur interest among the Malaysians to learn more about this unique animal.
The pair will be placed in a special exhibit in Taman Wetland, Putrajaya.

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And by the sun and its brightness. And by the moon as it follows it (the sun). And by the day as it shows up (the suns) brightness. And by the night as it conceals it (the sun). And by the heaven and Him Who built it. And by the earth and Him Who spread it. And by Nafs (Adam or a person or a soul, etc.), and Him Who perfected him in proportion.Then He showed him what is wrong for him and what is right for him. Indeed he succeeds who purifies his ownself (i.e. obeys and performs all that Allah ordered, by following the true Faith of Islamic Monotheism and by doing righteous good deeds). And indeed he fails who corrupts his ownself (i.e. disobeys what Allah has ordered by rejecting the true Faith of Islamic Monotheism or by following polytheism, etc. or by doing every kind of evil wicked deeds).( Demi matahari dan sinarnya di pagi hari. Demi bulan apabila ia mengiringi. Demi siang apabila ia menampakkan diri. Demi malam apabila ia menutupi. Demi langit dan seluruh binaannya. Demi bumi dan yang ada di hamparannya. Demi jiwa dan penyempurnaannya. Allah mengilhamkan sukma keburukan (kefasikan) dan kebaikan (ketaqwaan). Beruntunglah siapa yang mensucikannya dan rugilah siapa yang mengotorinya. ).(Asysams, Chapter 91 , Verse 1-10)